There is a secret weapon available to those who have named the name of Christ. This weapon is praise; there is power in your praise.
I’m not talking about some halfhearted, “Praise the Lord; thank you Jesus.” That doesn’t mean anything. God is looking for “true worshippers” those whose hearts and lives truly reflect what is proceeding from their lips.
Satan, our enemy, knows the power of praise. Before he was kicked out of heaven, he was called Lucifer, the anointed cherub. It is believed that he was in charge of worship in heaven; melody pulsated from his being before pride was found in him. He knows the awesome power of true praise and worship. That’s why he tries to keep such a mess going on in most choirs and praise teams.
Strife, pride, and discord stifle the anointing and grieve the Spirit of God, so no one is blessed. Satan realizes this; and that’s why he will try to infiltrate local churches with strife or ungodly, carnal people praising God.
When there is unconfessed sin in your life there is not much anointing. Your talent may get you over for a a little while and give unlearned saints goose bumps. But praise coming from a clean, anointed, “pure in heart” vessel is what will cause demons to flee, burdens to be removed, and yokes to be destroyed which equals changed lives.
To the pastors, worship leaders: first of all, please make sure that you are living right, presenting yourselves as “living sacrifices.” Then be bold; don’t allow Deacon so and so to pray and praise God in the service when you know he beats his wife and curses like a sailor.
Fear God enough to sit him down until he shows “fruits of repentance.”
God’s word says we are to cleanse ourselves of all filthiness of the flesh (outward sins) and of the spirit (inward sins) perfecting holiness, 2 Corinthians 7:1. Hebrews 13:15 says that we are to offer God the sacrifice of praise.
In the Old Testament, God’s people could not offer up just any kind of blemished, sickly, “last minute”sacrifice. In the new dispensation, we don’t offer up animals, but our praise; and it shouldn’t be tainted when we offer it up.
What is tainted praise? It is when you really mean it…when you are a fornicator…when you gossip, harbor bitterness or unforgiveness…or when you are the biggest hellion in the church. Satan loves this kind of “praise offering.” Why? he knows it’s not going anywhere…it’s not producing any effect…and it sure won’t make him flee.
Let me leave you with this: praise is so powerful and meant to be so effective, it will cause a sudden manifestation of the goodness of God in your life, even if you have been previously standing for years (Acts 16:25 & 26). If you are facing danger or an attract of the enemy, praise will bring the victory. In Judges chapter 1, Joshua was dead. The children of Israel needed to know how they were going to defeat the Canaanites and possess what God had promised them. God said, “Send up Judah.” In other words, if you start with praise, you will end in victory!
Psalms 7:17 says, “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.”
Always remember, when praises go up, blessings come down.
Desiree’ Joe is a pastor at Pacesetters Christian Fellowship in Jonesboro.